Commissioner Louis Sherlin said he would have liked to stand pat at 5.9 percent, but otherwise the Yellow Medicine County Board was unanimous in its approval of a 2012 preliminary tax levy of 6.25 percent during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.The 6.25 percent figure matched that recommended by YMC Administrator Ryan Krosch. According to Krosch, a 5.9 percent levy increase would be required just to cover increases to salaries and health insurance as well as reductions in income derived from interest and an approximately $90,000 cut in County Program Aid (CPA) by the state.

By Scott TedrickNews Editor

Commissioner Louis Sherlin said he would have liked to stand pat at 5.9 percent, but otherwise the Yellow Medicine County Board was unanimous in its approval of a 2012 preliminary tax levy of 6.25 percent during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.The 6.25 percent figure matched that recommended by YMC Administrator Ryan Krosch. According to Krosch, a 5.9 percent levy increase would be required just to cover increases to salaries and health insurance as well as reductions in income derived from interest and an approximately $90,000 cut in County Program Aid (CPA) by the state.Krosch said the 6.25 percent figure would help to balance a preliminary budget of approximately 16.9 million by increasing the net levy by $510,190 to $8.673 million. An additional budget shortfall of $225,500 would be paid for by drawing down reserves.A Truth in Taxation Hearing to allow for public input on budgetary matters will be held prior to the December 18 board meeting, during which the county is scheduled to adopt the final levy and budget.